Welcome back to our exclusive weekly player hot and cold feature. I recommend you use the information in this column like I do to identify players who might be worth picking up this week, as well as ones to consider benching or moving, perhaps.
Consider this the ultimate in short-term gratification. We’re not looking at histories of contact rates or command or anything other than what has occurred over the last week in the ten standard fantasy scoring categories, whether good or bad.
I will be calling out names that may have eluded your notice that either could still be available on your waiver wire in a mixed league or perhaps stashed on someone’s bench in an AL or NL-only league. I will pick anyone who is on ice, as that information can help guide your line-up selection choices.
Fire
Catcher
Ryan Doumit, Pit
.455 BA, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 6 R
For the remainder of the season, the Pirates’ backstop has to wear a protective sleeve on his thumb when he catches. So what? It is clearly not affecting his hitting. If an impatient owner in your league dropped Doumit when he was on the disabled list, it is surely too late now.
First Base
John Bowker, SF
.333 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 6 R
All one needs to know about the 2008 San Francisco Giants is that Bowker is batting fifth. After hitting below .200 in April, Bowker has hit .300 since, but has yet to reach double digits in RBI or hit as many as four home runs in any given month. The good news is that he qualifies in the outfield as well as first base in many leagues.
Second Base
Jamey Carroll, Cle
.579 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 SB, 1 R
In short bursts, the former Colorado, Washington and Montreal infielder has produced. He has an opportunity at second base for the Indians and so far, is making the most of it. Still, keep expectations low.
Shortstop
Maicer Izturis, LAA
.346 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 SB, 6 R
Two weeks in a row here for arguably the Angels’ most consistent-hitting infielder of 2008. Izturis qualifies at second base, shortstop and third base in many leagues. Versatility and results are a good combination.
Third Base
Doug Mientkiewicz, Pit
.462 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
“Eye Chart” has been stealing at-bats from Jose Bautista and is exhibiting stellar defense, enough to perhaps remain in the lineup even if he doesn’t hit. Last week, he did that, too.
Outfield
Shin-Soo Choo, Cle
.389 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
Like Ben Francisco a month earlier, the call-up of an outfielder has seemed to rejuvenate the Cleveland offense. That elbow surgery from last September must seem a lifetime ago for the former top prospect of the Mariners.
Gabe Gross, TB
.273 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 3 R
Receiving little playing time in Milwaukee, Gross was traded to Tampa Bay in late April. When Cliff Floyd returned from his regular stop on the DL, it seemed to signal the end of Gross’ at-bats. It didn’t work out that way. Still, don’t bother in mixed leagues.
Endy Chavez, NYM
.304 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2 SB, 3 R
Ryan Church’s concussion and Moises Alou… well, being 41 years old, means that plenty of corner outfield at-bats for the Mets are available. Take a peek in NL-only leagues, but remember Chavez is hitting only .222 overall this season. The stolen bases last week were his first two of the season in 117 at-bats.
Starters
Kenny Rogers, Det
0 W, 15 IP, 0.60 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 4 K
Only with the 2008 Tigers could a hurler give up just one earned run in 15 innings and not manage even one win in the process. The Gambler is back on a greatest hits tour that has run since his last start in April. Since then, Rogers has seven quality starts in nine outings.
Jo-Jo Reyes, Atl
1 W, 15.1 IP, 3.52 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 13 K
Since Memorial Day, Reyes has put together four consecutive solid starts, yet has only one win. This is due to lack of run support as much as anything. Reyes’ 47 strikeouts and just 18 walks in 53 innings are equally impressive.
Oliver Perez, NYM
1 W, 12.1 IP, 1.46 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 13 K
Is there a pitcher anywhere in MLB that is as wildly inconsistent as Perez? Before dropping him earlier this season, I looked up and down for trends in Perez’ numbers and couldn’t find any. Now, he is again teasing prospective fantasy owners.
Reliever
Freddy Dolsi, Det
1 SV, 0 BS, 0-0 W-L, 4.1 IP, 2.08 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 3 K
Who? Last week, the Dominican Republic rookie picked up his second career save in three weeks. Both were multi-inning stints, opportunities the underachieving Detroit starting staff create with regularity. Unless you need a middle man, don’t go chasing these saves. A 10-to-8 K-to-BB ratio may signal trouble ahead.
Ice
Catcher
Miguel Olivo, KC
.083 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Coming off a strong May, during which he batted .333, hit three runs and drove in 13, the former Marlin began to see more and more time at designated hitter when not behind the plate. Halfway though June, he is below the Mendoza line and has just three RBI. Just because Trey Hillman likes Olivo at DH doesn’t mean you have to.
First Base
James Loney, LAD
.412 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
Oddly, the Dodgers first baseman has recently morphed into a singles hitter. Likely it has nothing to do with the additional competition on the roster, yet it is odd that Loney is hitting .368 this month, yet has zero home runs and a lone RBI.
Second Base
Robinson Cano, NYY
.143 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
The Yankees’ second sacker is struggling big time this season, with a .217 average through 259 at-bats after hitting over .300 each of the last two years. It has been a wildly inconsistent season for Cano, hitting .151 in April, .295 in May and back into the dumps with a .212 June.
Shortstop
Derek Jeter, NYY
.192 BA, 1 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 5 R
The Yankees captain has been one thing this season - consistent. Jeter has hit between .262 and .280 each month in 2008. On the other hand, that isn’t what his fantasy owners were expecting. He is hitting 45 points below his career average and is on pace for a career low in RBI.
Third Base
Adrian Beltre, Sea
.100 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
On one hand, hitting just .226 with 29 RBI on the season has to be considered a disappointment for both Beltre and the struggling Mariners. On the other, it is just a continuation of bad baseball played since his one standout season in 2004 in Los Angeles.
Outfield
Matt Holliday, Col
.188 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Since returning from the disabled list, Holliday has yet to find his stroke, with just one extra-base hit. If you don’t own him, make a pre-emptive trade offer now.
Chris Young, Ari
.219 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 1 R
This was going to be the sophomore season when Young not only hit for power, but also for average. Apparently, he didn’t get the memo. Young is hitting four points under his 2007 mark of .237 and while he is on pace to equal or exceed his RBI count of 68, his home runs are down by about a third.
Carlos Quentin, CWS
.148 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R
Quentin has 54 RBI on the season, so how can anyone quibble with a little slump? Hitting just .186 in June with six RBI, his season average has fallen over 20 points this month. The sell-high opportunity could be ending.
Starters
Brian Bannister, KC
0 W, 10.1 IP, 7.84 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 5 K
Don’t blame me for this one. I didn’t think the soft-tosser was going to replicate his solid 2007 and he is proving me correct. You have to have better options.
David Bush, Mil
0 W, 10 IP, 7.20 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 6 K
The Brewers’ lefty seems never destined to reach his promise. One positive thing to say about his most recent start on Friday is that he did not allow an enemy home run after serving up 12 in his previous seven starts. Sorry, that is the best I can do.
A.J. Burnett, Tor
1 W, 9.1 IP, 9.64 ERA, 2.36 WHIP, 12 K
Burnett walked eight last week and his season WHIP is over 1.50, which are great reasons why his fantasy value has fallen to a minimal level. Sure, the one strikeout per inning looks appealing, but consider the cost in the other categories.
Reliever
B.J. Ryan, Tor
2 SV, 0 BS, 0-1, 3.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 3 K
It was not a terrible week for the Jays’ closer, but he did take a loss, the third in his last six outings this month. Two of those June losses were blown saves, too, but it is still too early to consider this slump a collapse of Gagneian or Izzyian proportions.
Brian Walton’s work can also be found daily at stlcardinals.scout.com.